Frostproof hydrant



April 1953 G. E. HANSEN 2,635,621

FRoswPhooF HYDRANT Filed Feb. 15, 195; 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 .3 J7 1 v J5 7Ii 59 56 I, 56 W I I r 21 a; 63L /31 2s 62 is? 97 a9: .33

J5 J2 7 J5 eaiyefflnseza Ap 1953 G. E. HANSEN FROSTPROOF HYDRANT 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 15. 1951 fiealyammem Patented Apr. 21, 1953 FROSTPROOF HYDRANT George E. Hansen, Chicago, 111., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 15, 1951, Serial No. 211,131

6 Claims. (Cl. 137-209) This invention pertains to a hydrant, and, more especially, it pertains to a construction providing a method and means of effecting a frost proof hydrant.

Hydrant freezing has long been a serious problem in connection with water hydrants, such as the type employed in railroad yards, for example, which is the type described in this patent disclosure, and it is the solution of that problem with which this invention is concerned.

In considering the operation of water hydrants in freezing temperatures, it should be noted that the hydrant valve itself is ordinarily located below the frost line in the ground with the hydrant spout extending therefrom to the water discharge outlet above the ground. Obviously, upon the closing of the valve effecting the cessation of flow,

a water column remains within the spout and,

therefore, is subject to freezing to a point in the vicinity of the frost line. Naturally, such freezing can cause bursting of the spout or prevent use of the hydrant due to the ice blocked spout. Thus, hydrant users are faced with the problem of hydrant freezing and the consequent inability to use the device.

. Presently known frostproof hydrants are constructed in an attempt to solve the above referred to freezing problem by means such as a drain in the base of the spout, an aspirator arrangement, and similar ideas. However, it is well known that nothing on the market today provides the real answer to the problem, as unsanitary conditions therearound or frozen spouts still exist.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a frostproof hydrant which avoids objectionable freezing of water in the hydrant spout by forcibly evacuating or ejecting the column of water below and through the spout.

. 'Still another important object of this invention is to evacuate water from the spout in a simple manner without requiring any additional operation on the spout beyond the normal operation of the Water supply valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a frostproof hydrant which will be long lasting as all parts can be constructed of sturdy materials which will probably wear for the life of the non-frostproof hydrant. Thus, very little, if any, continuous maintenance or inspection is reciuired for this novel hydrant. Also, all the materials, power, and supplies required for construction and operation of the herein described hyd'rant are readily available.

Other objects and advantages of the construction will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the following description read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational sectional assembly view of a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional assembly view of a modification of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1, this invention applies to a hydrant wherein a preferred embodiment employs a conventional standpipe housing l0 having the usual water inlet II and the outlet openings therein. 'The housing inlet 1 I is threaded to connect directly to a water supply line I2. The said housing outlet opening'is positioned in the upper portion of the housing which is suitably threaded to receive a tubular spout l3 which extends vertically upward therefrom as indicated. The inner periphery of the lower portion of the standpipe is also shown threaded to receive a valve body M which has a plurality of annularly spaced flow passages I5 to communicate the housing inlet I I with the spout l3. A valve closure comprising an annular disc I6 and a disc holder ll are shown threadedly mounted onto the lower portion of a hollow valve stem or actuater [8.

Thus, it will be apparent that with axial movement of the stem l8, by means hereinafter described, the valve closure is reciprocated to selectively interrupt liquid-flow through the valve body l4. A fluid sealing ring I9 is located on the disc IE to encircle the stem and thereby'preclude the passage of fluid past the sealing ring 19. It should also be noted that a central annular portion 2| of the valve body l4 serves as a stem guide wherein the stem is free to reciprocate axially.

A standpipe 22 is also threaded into an upper portion of the housing ID to be radially spaced with the spout I3 and extend axially along a portion thereof to protect the same.

A valve and actuator housing 23 is preferably threadedly mounted onto the upper end of spout l3. A liquid outlet section 24, integral with the housing 23, communicates with the spout l3 to project therefrom to a position where the outlet connects to a hose or the like (not shown). It should also be noted that a lower annular portion 26 of the housing 23 encloses the upper end of the standpipe 22 to thereby protect the latter from rain and snow entering into the same. The top opening in housing 23 is preferably enclosed by a cap 21 secured thereto by bolts 28.

The means for actuating the previously described water valve is shown to consist of a cam follower 29 threaded onto the upper end of the reciprocally movable stem I8 which connects to the said valve. -A coil spring 3| is mounted between the housing 23 and the follower 29 to yieldingly urge the latter member upwardly and thereby normally maintain the said valve in closed position. A spring bearing washer and a guide 32 is preferably positioned below the spring 3| with a,depending annular flange33 preferably havingan inclined lower surface which abuts an O-ring 34, thereby to urge the latter inwardly toward the stem [8 and to effect a fluid seal between the stem 18 and the housing 23.

As further shown in Fig. 1, a cam 36 is rotatably mounted above the follower 29 and is connected with an angular relation to a handle 81 which extends from the cap 21 to permit operation of the cam. Thus, it will be clear that by depressing the handle 31, rotation to the cam 36 is imparted which in turn depresses the cam follower 29 to open the water valve. Further details of the cam and handle connection are shown in Fig. 2 wherein is shown a pin 38 extending through the cap to engage a groove 39 in the cam and thereby axially maintain the latter within the cap while permitting said rotative motion. An O-ring 4| is preferably positioned on the cam shank to insure a leakproof construction at that point.

The following description is primarily concerned with a novel phase of the instant design which constitutes provision of a means for evacuating a column of accumulated water from the spout l3 after the said water supply valve is closed.

As further shown in Fig. 1, an air valve 42 is arranged in the housing 23 so as to communicate with an air supply pipe 43. In the view shown, a bore 44 in the housing 23 threadedly receives at its upper end, a cylindrical valve body 46 which extends above the bore. An annular underportion of body 46 serves as the valve seat whereon a valve disc 41 makes contact to interrupt air fiow through the valve. A disc holder 48 is mounted in the bore 44 on a stem 49 by means of a lower washer i and nut 52, and thereby maintains the disc 41 in desired position. The upper portion of the stem 49 is preferably hollow and is made in two sections to provide for a joining ring 53 which contains an annular shoulder 54 whereunder a coil spring 55 acts to yieldingly maintain the valve 42 in an upward closed position.

It will be noted that the upper portion of stem 49 slidably extends into cam follower 29 wherein a horizontal bore 56 is in communication with the said axial opening of the stem. A plug 51 is threaded into the follower 29 to position a seal member 58 within the bore 56 and is placed immediately above the upper open end of the stem 49. The end of the bore 56 is preferably fluid sealed. by means of a threaded plug 59; and the stem 49 is fluid sealed at the extension through the follower 29 preferably by means of an O-ring form of packing 6|.

From the foregoing description of the structure and the operation of the hydrant structure in general, it should be apparent that upon operating the handle 31, the cam 36 is caused to rotate and to thereby depress cam follower 29. As previously explained, the water supply valve is operated, and the air valve 42 is also operated by the seal member 58 abutting the upper end of the stem 49 to seal the said upper end in a fluid tight manner and to displace the stem downwardly. Thus, the disc 41 is unseated from the valve body 46 against the compression of spring 55 to thereby permit air to flow from the supply pipe 43, into the bore 44 and thence through the stem apertures 62 located transversely in the stem 49 and then into the stem 49, wherein the air is sealed by member 58 abutting the upper open end of the stem as indicated.

Upon placing the actuating handle 31 in its original position (the position shown in Fig. 1) the water valve closes as the sealing member 58 is withdrawn from the upper end of stem 49 to release the air within the stem. Additional air passes upward through the valve 42 which, as illustrated, has a delayed closing action due to the provision of a leather cup 63 mounted between the surfaces of the disc holder 48 and the washer 5|. Thus, the cup is substantially fluid tight within the bore 44 such that in the lower position of the cup, corresponding to the valve open position, air pressure above the cup tends to maintain the valve open while the spring 55 tends to close the valve as previously described. These two unequal and opposite forces result in a desirable slow closing of the air valve 42. As previously noted, the leather cup 63 is not necessarily fluid tight within the bore 44, thus some air may leak past the cup to create a pressure thereunder and thereby further control the closing operation of the valve.

An air throttle valve 64 is preferably mounted in the supply line to be adjustable therein and thus provide control of the air quantity flowing into the valve 42.

With the above description of the means for controlling air flow into the hydrant, it should be understood that a predetermined quantity of air passes through the stem 49, into the bore 56 which communicates with and conducts air to the hollow stem l8 located along the axis of the spout l3. The stem I8 is provided at a lower portion with air outlet passages 66 which release the air into a lower section of the spout l3 which is filled with water. The standing or accumulated column water is thereby blown from the spout and out the discharge section 24 to leave the spout and the hydrant discharge section substantially evacuated. Thus, it will be clear that whatever water remains in the hydrant will be in the base of the spout well below the frost line.

Numerous tests on the herein disclosed construction have displayed the efliciency thereof and proves the relatively simple method of rendering a hydrant frostproof. It is also noteworthy to state that railroad yards are usually equipped with compressed air supply lines which can be easily connected to the hydrant to provide the air supply required. Also, note that only the usual hydrant operation is necessary to effect evacuation of the water.

A modification of the hydrant shown in Fig. l is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the primary difference is the location of the air valve. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the hydrant comprises a standpipe housing H with a water inlet pipe 12 and a water outlet spout 13 threadedly connected thereto with a standpipe 14 mounted around the spout by being threaded into the housing 1|. An outlet section 16 is mounted on the spout 13 by a set screw 15 to provide for the water discharged from the hydrant. A cap 11, positioned over the section 16 and maintained in such location by set screws 80, contains a cam 18 and a follower 19 with a coil spring 8| acting under the follower 19 to maintain the main water stem 82 upwardly and thereby seat the water valve 85. Operation of the hydrant is effected by actuation of the handle 83 which rotates the cam 18 to depress the cam follower 19.

The above described embodiment is generally similar to the construction and operation previously given in connection with Fig. 1, while the following description deals with the variation from Fig. 1.

An air valve 84 is mounted in the housing 11 under the water valve 85 with the air supply pipe 86 leading underground into the valve 84. A valve body 81 is preferably threaded into the housing 1| to extend into a bore 88 in the housing and provided a valve seat at its lower surface. A hollow stem 89 is disposed within the valve body 81 to reciprocate therewithin and position a valve closure disc 9| on the valve seat by action of the spring 99 urging the stem 89 upwardly. A disc holder 92 is mounted on the lower portion of the stem 89 below the closure 91 to support the latter in its position against the valve seat. Also, preferably mounted on stem 89 are a leather cup 93 and a supporting washer 94 having a nut 95 to retain the latter members to the stem 89. This portion of the air valve 84 is also similar to the air valve 42 described in connection with Fig. 1.

The upper portion of the hollow stem 89 is provided with the transverse apertures 99 which conduct air from the supply pipe 86 into the valve body 81 when the air valve 84 is open. It should be particularly noted that a depending shank 91 of the water valve 85 is received within the air valve body 81 to reciprocate therewithin and be fluid tight by means of an O-ring 98 disposed therebetween. A central opening 99 extends through the shank 91 of valve 85 and communicates with an axial opening 109 in the lower portion of the main stem 82. Transverse apertures I91 are provided in the stem 82 to conduct air from within the stem to the base of the spout 13.

In the operation of the modified hydrant shown in Fig. 2, the actuation of the handle 83 rotates the cam 18 to depress the follower 19 and the stem 82 which opens the water valve 85. Simultaneously, upon the downward movement of the valve 85, a lower annular surface I82 of the shank 91 abuts the upper end of the air valve stem 89 and forms a fluid seal therebetween. Further, it will be apparent that the downward movement of the valve 85 opens the air valve 84 by downwardly displacing stem 89. Then, upon closing the water valve 85 by placing the actuating handle 83 in its original position, the seal between the stem 89 and valve surface I02 is broken and thus permits air to flow through the valve 84, into the valve body 81, then into the stem 82, and from there into the spout 13. Again, the delayed closing action of the air valve 84 is effected by the previously explained air action on the leather cup 93 and the action of the spring 90, and thus a predetermined amount f air passes into the spout 13 to blow the standing water therefrom.

It should thus be apparent that a simple and effect means has been devised to provide a frostproof hydrant, and, although this invention has been described in specific forms, it is susceptible to changes and should, therefore, be limited only by the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of a standpipe for receiving a supply of water, a valve seat in said standpipe, a valve closure member therefor, a valve stem for the said closure member, a spout from the said standpipe housing, an actuator housing mounted n the said standpipe housing, rotatable cam means for reciprocally actuating the said stem, air valve means mounted to cooperate with the said standpipe housing and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a sec- (and valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air flow past the said seat, the said stem having a hollow portion in communication with a chamber of the said air valve means, a second hollow stem for actuating the said air valve communicating with a hollow portion of the first named stem upon predetermined movement of the valve means, the said cam means cooperating with an end portion of said first named stem to move the said air valve means, the said valve closure disc having resilient means and a lower piston portion for providing slow closing of the said second valve closure member, whereby the said slow closing provides for the release of air int the said spout to evacuate from the said spout and standpipe water remaining after the first named valve closure member has again been seated in the standpipe.

2. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of a standpipe for receiving a supply of water, a valve seat in said standpipe, a valve closure member therefor, a hollow valve stem for the said closure member, a spout from the said standpipe housing, an actuator housing mounted on the said standpipe housing, rotatable cam means for reciprocally actuating the said hollow stem, air valve means mounted to cooperate with the said standpipe housing and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a second valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air flow through the said actuator housing, the said hollow stem having a hollow portion communicating with said air valve means, a second hollow stem for actuating the said air valve and communicating with the said hollow portion of the first named hollow stem, the said cam means cooperating with an end portion of the said firstnamed stem to move the said air valve, the said valve closure disc having a resiliently mounted piston for retarding the closing of the said second valve closure member, whereby the said air valve means provides for the release of air into the standpipe thereby to evacuate from the said spout liquid remaining when the first named valve closure member is seated in the standpipe and upon predetermined movement of said air valve means.

3. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of a standpipe for receiving a supply of water, a valve seat in said standpipe, a valve closure member therefor, a hollow valve stem for the said closure member, a spout extending from the said standpipe housing, an actuator housing mounted on the said standpipe housing, rotatable cam means for actuating the said hollow stem, air valve means mounted to cooperate with the said standpipe housing and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a second valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air flow through the said actuator housing, the said hollow stem having a transverse hollow portion movable therewithand in communication with the interior of the said hollow'stem by means of ,said

transverse hollow portion, a second hollow stem for actuating the said air valve communicating with the said transverse hollow portion of the first named hollow stem, the said cam means cooperating with the said stem'transverse hollow portion to move the said air valve, the said valve closure disc having a spring and a lower piston portion for retarding the closing movement of the said second valve closure member, the said cam means providing for. the simultaneous movement of the said closure members relative to the valve seats, the said air valve means providing for the release of air into a lower portion of the said spout predeterminately to evacuate the said spout and said standpipe housing of liquid remaining when the first named valve closure memher is seated in the standpipe.

4. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of astandpipe for receiving a supply of water, a valve seat in saidstandpipe, a valve closure member therefor, a valve stem for the-said closure member, a spout from the said standpipe, an actuator housing mounted on the said standpipe, rotatable cam means for reciprocally actuating the said hollow stem, air valve means mounted to cooperate with the said standpipe and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a second valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air fiow through the said actuator housing, the said stem having a hollow portion in communication with the said valve closure member, a second hollow stem for actuating the said air valve and communicating with the hollow portion of the first-named stem upon predetermined movement of said valve closure member, the said cam means cooperating with the said first-named stem to move the said air valve, resilient means and a piston structure for delaying the closing movement of the said second valve closure member, adjustable throttle means associated with the said air supply line to regulate the amount of fluid passing into the said air valve means, the slow closing of the said air valve providing for a release of air predeterminately into a portion of the said spout and standpipe thereby to evacuate the said spout and said standpipe of liquid remaining when the first named valve closure member is seated in the standpipe, and resilient means for the said cam interposed between the latter member and the first-named valve stem to eifect closing of first-named closure member.

5. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of a standpipe for receiving a supply of water, a valve seat in said standpipe, a valve closure member therefor, a hollow valve stem for the said closure member, a spout from the said standpipe, an actuator housing mounted on the said standpipe, rotatable cam means for actuating the said hollow stem, air valve means mounted on the said standpipe housing and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a second valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air flow through the said actuator housing, the said stem having a hollow portion in communication with the said closure member, a second stem for ac- '8 tuating the said air valve and having a hollow portion communicating with the said hollow portion of the first named hollow stem, the said 'cam means cooperating with the said firstnamed stem to move the said air valve, the said valve closure disc having reciprocally movable means for providing slow closing of the said second valve closure member, the said slow closing means being attached to the said second named valve closure member for entry of air into the said standpipe thereby to evacuate the said spout and said standpipe of liquid remaining afterthe first named valve closure member has been seated in; the standpipe, the hollow portions of each of the said stems, having substantially transverse .ports in communication with interiors of the said housing and spout upon the movement of said second named closure member-away from the said seat to efiect said entry of air.

6. In an ejector and control mechanism therefor, the combination of a standpipe housing for receiving a supply of water,-a valve seat in said standpipe housing, a valve closure member therefor, a hollow valve stem for the said closure member, a spout extending from the said standpipe housing, an actuator housing mounted on the said standpipe housing, rotatable cam means for actuating the-saidhollow stem, air valve means mounted to cooperate with the said standpipe housing and communicating with an air supply means, a seat therefor, a second valve closure member cooperating with said latter seat to interrupt air flow through the said actuator housing, the said hollow stem having a transverse hollow portion movable therewith and in communication with the interior of the said hollow stem, a second hollow stem for actuating the said air valve communicating with the said transverse hollow portion of the first named hollow stem, the said cam means cooperating with the said stem transverse hollow portion to move the said air valve, the said valve closure disc having a lower piston portion frictionally movable therewith to provide slow closing of the said second valve closure member, means associated with the said-supply line to regulate the amount of fluid passing into the said air valve means, the said air valve means by slow closing providing for the release of air into. the said spout thereby to evacuatefrom the said spout and said standpipe housing any substantial amount of liquid remaining after the first named valve closure member has been seated in the standpipe.

' GEORGE E. HANSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 215,603 Greathead May 20, 1879 2,061,032 Huff Nov. 17, 1936 2,458,508 Gaetz Jan. 11, 1949 2,481,909 Dales Sept. 13, 1949 2,545,911 Bart Mar. 20, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 28,561 Sweden June 29, 1908 88,863 Sweden Mar. 23, 1937 

